In March 2023, they testified at the municipal council and demonstrated in front of the town hall, wearing orange T-shirts crossed out with these words: “ Libraries are for everyone! No budget cuts for libraries! » Today, the libraries of New York bear witness to a disturbing observation: Eric Adams, the city’s mayor, reportedly suggested cutting funding for municipal organizations by $52.7 million. ” This proposal is devastating, declare members of the New York Public Library. It’s the steepest budget cut of the decade ».
Several leaders of public libraries alert the public authorities to the damage that this decision would cause: reduction of service hours, disappearance of certain programs and courses for young people and refugees, weakening of the fight against book censorship , in which the network is mobilized a lot.
Some members of the municipal council support them, like Chi Osse. « In the name of our common ideal, which is to improve education for all, public safety and the economic situation, we can find other ways to invest that do not penalize our precious libraries. The services and resources that these institutions bring to citizens of all ages is essential and irreplaceable. No matter what times we are going through, whether better or worse, cutting library funding should never be considered.” did he declare.
So that everyone can get involved in this campaign, the New York Public Library has provided its users with a courrier-type to send to the mayor. “ Libraries are for everyone, and with the support of the city, they will continue their welcoming mission “, can we read there.
